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Assistant Scientist - Data Management and Crop Modeling

Los Baños

  • Organization: IRRI - International Rice Research Institute
  • Location: Los Baños
  • Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Statistics
    • Administrative support
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • Scientist and Researcher
  • Closing Date: 2025-02-17

About IRRI
The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is dedicated to reducing poverty and hunger through rice science; improving the health and welfare of rice farmers and consumers; and protecting the rice-growing environment for future generations. IRRI is an independent, nonprofit, research and educational institute, founded in 1960 by the Ford and Rockefeller foundations with support from the Philippine government. The institute, headquartered in Los Baños, Philippines, has offices in 17 rice-growing countries in Asia and Africa, and over 1,000 staff.

Working with in-country partners, IRRI develops advanced rice varieties that yield more grain and better withstand pests and disease as well as flooding, drought, and other harmful effects of climate change.
Job Purpose

The Assistant Scientist will be part of climate change mitigation sub-unit in Climate-Resilient Farming Systems unit, SIRS department. The successful candidate will contribute to a new project “Accelerating development and scaling of agricultural innovations for reducing GHG emission in ASEAN countries”, funded by MAFF-Japan, and collaborate with several other projects. He/She will focus on data-driven research and modeling in context of climate-smart, sustainable intensification and diversification. Key responsibilities include managing the implementation of defined research activities including but not limited to: compiling, cleaning, and standardizing data from various research projects and secondary sources, transforming datasets into inputs for model simulations, and executing modeling studies using ORYZA and other relevant models.

The candidate will also assist in the preparation of scientific publications for international peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, he/she will play a key role incapacity building, with a focus on data management and modeling analytics to support research and decision-making in climate-smart, sustainable intensification and diversification

This position will be based at the IRRI Headquarters, Los Baños, Philippines and may only be filled by permanent citizens of the Philippines.

Roles and Responsibilities
  • Coordinate, collect, and compile data from a variety of sources, including experimental data from current and past research projects both within and outside of IRRI, as well as data from literature, publicly accessible databases, collaborators, and research partners
  • Perform data cleaning, reorganization, standardization, and transformation to generate inputs for multiple models
  • Design and conduct model simulation studies, including but not limited to model calibration, validation, and scenario simulations to address various research objectives, particularly relating to the effects of climate-smart and sustainable intensification on GHG emission, soil health, soil productivity
  • Assist with the analysis and interpretation of experimental data and model simulation results, and support the development of scientific reports, documents, and peer-reviewed articles
  • Support research and non-research activities in the sub-unit, and handle temporary tasks as assigned by supervisors
  • Coordinate with other IRRI research units, both at headquarters and in country offices, to facilitate data sharing
  • Establish and maintain effective communication with non-IRRI partners to ensure smooth data exchange
  • Support to capacity building activities, with a focus on data management and modeling analytics to partners and stakeholders
  • Develop and maintain databases that are directly applicable for model simulation studies using ORYZA and other models, such as APSIM and DSSAT
  • Implement model calibration and validation, batch model simulation management, and aggregation of simulation results
  • Prepare scientific reports, documents, and training materials as needed
  • Perform any other relevant duties as assigned by the supervisor from time to time
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree with at least 4 years’ experience in agricultural or crop sciences, preferred disciplines include soil science, data science, statistics, computer science, and GIS or
  • Master’s degree with at least 1-3 years' experience in agricultural or crop sciences, preferred disciplines include soil science, data science, statistics, computer science, and GIS or
Skills Required

Mandatory

  • Has proven technical proficiency in using qualitative and quantitative data analytic methods
  • Has strong oral and written communication skills
  • Has strong analytical skill
  • Has good presentation skills
  • Has excellent computer skills
  • Is able to work independently with very minimal supervision

Preferred

  • Experience in modeling with ORYZA, would be extra asset for experience in modeling with DSSAT, APSIM, and/or DNDC
  • Experience in computer programming by Python, R, or other languages
  • Experience in qualitative research methods, experience in identifying, setting-up, and maintaining multi-stakeholder partnerships, Experience with qualitative impact assessment

IRRI offers a highly extensive employee benefits package inclusive of globally-covered medical insurance, retirement plan, life and accident insurance and other allowances.

Join our team and be part of our story!

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
This position will remain open until filled.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.